Handmaid’s Tale to return

Q: Can you tell me when “The Handmaid’s Tale” will return? It’s one of my favorite dramas. I can’t wait to see what happens next. – Gina T., via email

A: You’ll have to wait just a little while longer, but maybe some of these clues as to what to expect in season two will help tide you over. First of all, “Handmaid” returns to Hulu for 13 new episodes, two of which will premiere on April 25 (with subsequent episodes released every Wednesday for streaming). This season will be shaped by Offred’s (played by Emmy Award-winning lead actress Elizabeth Moss) pregnancy and her ongoing fight to free her future child from the dystopian horrors of Gilead. “Gilead is within you” is a favorite saying of Aunt Lydia, and in season two, Offred and all characters will fight against – or succumb to – this dark truth.

And while season two goes beyond what was covered in Margaret Atwood’s book, the acclaimed author is helping to shape the new season’s narrative, along with creator/showrunner Bruce Miller. In “Newsweek,” Miller said, “People talk about how we’re beyond the book, but we’re not really. The book starts, then jumps 200 years with an academic discussion at the end of it, about what’s happened in those intervening 200 years. We’re not going beyond the novel. We’re just covering territory (Atwood) covered quickly, a bit more slowly.”

Look for special guest star Marisa Tomei in episode two (which features a look at the Colonies). The series also stars Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Samira Wiley, Alexis Bledel, Ann Dowd, Max Minghella, Madeline Brewer, O-T Fagbenle and Amanda Brugel.

Q: Can you tell me what Alan Ball has been working on lately? I absolutely adored “Six Feet Under” and “True Blood.” – Eric P., Cleveland

A: Alan continues his long-standing relationship with HBO, bringing us a new series called “Here and Now,” which premieres Sunday, Feb. 11. Starring Tim Robbins and Holly Hunter, this 10-episode dark-comedy/drama series is the story of a multiracial family whose bonds are tested when one of the children begins seeing things the rest can’t. It also focuses on this family as they wind their way through a Trump-era America, with Tim Robbins’ character stating in the series’ preview: “So much hatred going around. It feels like the world is falling apart.”

Q: I am a huge fan of Dominic West. Can you tell me what he’s been up to? – Frieda F. via email

A: Dominic has a monumental task ahead of him next: He’ll be playing Jean Valjean in a six-part BBC-Masterpiece production of “Les Miserables.” In a statement, Dominic called the role “one of the greatest characters in world literature. … His epic journey of redemption is one of the extraordinary roles an actor can take on.” Lily Collins and David Oyelowo also star. Production started this month, so we don’t have a release date yet, but I’ll keep you posted.

Write to Cindy at King Features Weekly Service, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803; or e-mail her at letters@cindyelavsky.com.(c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.